Beautyblogger

In my quest for cheaper dupes for my favourite products I came across this cleansing oil from No.7. I’ve been religiously using the Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Oil for a few years now but at £22 for a 200ml bottle it isn’t the most economic option. The No.7 cleansing oil is just £11 for a 150ml bottle.

Packaging: This cleanser comes in a clear bottle which is great because you can actually see when you need to top-up. On the top is a pump which you can lock close when it’s not in use. I use around two pumps per use and there is 150 ml of product in the bottle.

Ingredients: This cleanser is based on mineral oil and numerous plant oils such as avocado, olive, safflower and rose which may be comedogenic for some people who are acne-prone. It also contains vitamins E and C. Unfortunately this product contains fragrance and the fragrance has a very strong floral smell. As this is a wash-off product the fragrance doesn’t bother me too much but if you have sensitive skin I’d skip this product.

Texture and appearance: This oil more “oily” than the Clinique oil. This means it clings onto the skin better, is more moisturising but also leaves an oily film on the skin when washed off. I’d say it is more suitable for dry to normal skin.

Application: I take the oil between my palms and massage it into my skin for around 30-60 seconds focusing on areas like the eye. I haven’t experienced irritation or stinging even when the product got into my eyes, making it safe for eye make-up removal. You can wash this directly off the skin (it turns to a milky emulsion) or use a soft face cloth. I do find that this product leaves an oily film on my skin and it isn’t as good at removing eye make-up as the Clinique cleanser.

Above, I tested this product with different makeup; foundation, concealer, mascara, pencil eyeliner, liquid eyeliner, eyeshadow primer, eyebrow pomade, lipstick, liquid lipstick and eyeshadow. After massaging the product in for 60 seconds I rinsed off with warm water and patted dry. It did a great job of getting rid of all the make-up apart from the long wear liquid liner.

I wouldn’t say this is an exact dupe for the Clinique cleansing oil, which will remain my holy grail cleanser. It doesn’t perform at removing heavy make-up and I’m not a fan of the texture and ingredients for my oily skin. However, it is a good option for me on my lighter day-to-day make-up. With it being just £11 a bottle I may repurchase it but I’m looking to try some other drug-store cleansing oils first.

Have you tried this cleanser before? What is your favourite oil cleanser? Comment below and let me know!

If you’re into the whole beauty scene you’ve probably already seen this tag done by everyone and their mother. However, for those of you that don’t know about it, Jaclyn Hill on Youtube started a tag on her ride-or-die products aka, her all time favourite product in each category.

Nobody actually tagged me BUT I thought it would be a great post to do, I’ve also linked any individual reviews I’ve done in the past if you want more in depth info. It’s going to be a long one, so get comfy and grab a notepad. Here we go!

Primer

I’ll be honest with you guys 99% of the time I don’t wear primer. I am yet to find a primer that I LOVE and does exactly what I want it to do, that is control oil, smooth out texture and improve wear of foundation. For that reason I haven’t chosen anything in this category.

Corrector-MAC Prep + Prime Highlighter Peach Lustre

This was an easy one for me. This product is lightweight, blends in easily and corrects dark undertones in the skin. Once it sets it doesn’t change the appearance of anything that is applied on top.

I’m not a huge foundation person but there are two products which are holy grails for me. That is MAC Studio Sculpt and Estee Lauder Double Wear. However, when I think about which product I reach for when I want to look my BEST on a night out, it is this one. It doesn’t provide as much oil control but it does give amazing coverage and a real glow to the skin.

This product is a recent discovery for me but I’ve formed a lifelong bond with it. I wear it every day to work. It takes a few seconds to blend in, gives sheer to medium coverage, gives good oil control and improves the texture of my skin too.

If there is one product that is my desert island product, it is this one. This concealer is at the top of many peoples lists and I can totally understand why. It provides great coverage for everyday use and when layered on top of a corrector it looks flawless. Also the formula is lightweight, hydrating and doesn’t crease that much at all.

Setting Powder- Ben Nye Banana

When I want to set my concealer and I don’t want it to budge or crease, this powder is the absolute best. I buy the compact version as I find loose powders to faffy but that’s just my personal preference.

Face Powder- Nars Pressed Setting Powder

This face powder is the most finely milled pressed powder I’ve tried to date. A little dusting of this goes a long way in setting my skin, blending out harsh lines, airbrushing my skin and giving great oil control.

Bronzer ELF Baked Bronzer Los Cabos

My ride or die bronzer was a bit of a surprise to be honest. I own a number of bronzers and they are all high end, apart from this one. When I sat down to think about what product makes me say “wow” to myself every single time I use it, it’s this product. The colour of this product gives me the most beautiful sun-kissed skin and the pearl finish makes my skin look smooth and absolutely the best it has ever looked. If there was one criticism for this product it is that it doesn’t last as long as my high end products, but I still LOVE it and will continue to re-purchase it.

When I want chiseled cheekbones or a jawline that can cut glass (lol) I reach for this product. It is very cool toned which perfectly mimics shadows on the skin. It also blends into make-up really easily so you can control how strong you want your contour to look.

Blush- MAC Peaches

This is a long time favourite blush of mine. Admittedly I haven’t used it in a while but it is one I will keep going back to. The colour is the perfect warm peach for my skin tone, the formula is blendable and long lasting.

This was a really difficult choice for me. I love highlighters just like everyone else but this product is what I reach to come day or night. It is really finely milled, doesn’t have any tacky glitter in it and looks amazing in natural light, artificial light and especially under candlelight 😉

Again a very easy category for me. Ever since this product came into my life I’ve been able to walk out the door confidently knowing my brows look great and will stay that way till I decide to take it off. It is incredibly easy to apply too which makes my mornings that much better.

I think I’m in denial, ever since I heard the Urban Decay 24/7 eyeliner has been discontinued. It was the best eyeliner I’d ever used. It applied easily, was jet black, stayed on all day, no matter what. I know UD have come out with a new formula which I’m hoping is as good as that one.

However for the time being, the Kat Von D liner which I recently reviewed has quickly become a ride-or-die eyeliner. I much prefer brush liners over marker liners but this is probably the best one of the market. It is pigmented, applies smoothly and gives a clean line, also it lasts all day without fading, smudging or flaking.

Pencil Eyeliner

Again, I’m not going to put anything in this category as I rarely use pencil liners. Generally they close up my already small eyes. Having said that the only liners I own and I think I own 3 colours, are from Urban Decay and I am reluctant to try anything else.

Mascara is a very difficult category for me, I rarely repurchase mascaras as I always like to try new ones out but there’s one that I’ve repurchased a number of times and it is the Lash Sensational. It gives tremendous length, volume, curl and does not flake or smudge at all, even with my oily eyelids.

Eyeshadow primer– MAC Prep + Prime 24-Hour Extend Eye Base

When I say this product primes, it primes. It is perfect under any eyeshadow, pigment, eyeliner. Doesn’t crease, doesn’t budge. Bulletproof.

I absolutely adore this palette. It contains the four most gorgeous warm shades which can be worn a number of ways. My favourite colours are the warm orange and that shimmery gold, omfg. The formula is blendable and lasts all day on the lids.

Lipstick is one of my favourite make-up products, so to whittle it down to just one was really, really difficult. I thought about what colours I wear year-round, which are mostly neutrals, and also I thought about the formula which feels most comfortable to me. This lipstick from Urban Decay goes with most make-up looks whether cool toned or warm but the best part is absolutely the formula. Apart from the Nars Audacious lipsticks, I’m yet to try another formula that feels as creamy as this one does and one that lasts long, whilst not drying out my lips.

Setting Spray– Mac Fix +

Before I started using Fix + I really didn’t believe a product would make such a difference to your skin. After I’ve finished a full face of make-up I spritz this on and it gives my skin such an incredible glow, it really “fuses” the make-up into my skin. It doesn’t give oil control but the finish is so perfect I don’t actually mind.

That’s all for this post. What do you guys think of my ride or die products? Do we share any of the same favourites? Comment below and let me know!

Summer is coming to an end and I’ve really been holding back on buying new make-up and clothes as I’ve been trying to save money for more important investments. As much as I love fashion and make-up I know that the joy I get from these things is very temporary and the money could go towards something larger and more meaningful.

With that being said, I’ve been much more frugal with my spending, doing a lot more research before buying things, investing in products which I know I’m going to like and actually USING products that I buy. How many times have you bought a product to use it once only to stash it away in your cupboard where it will live until it passes its shelf life? I know I have! So without further ado here are my August favourites.

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BEAUTY

Estee Lauder Double Wear Light

I posted about this foundation earlier this month and I am so, so glad I’ve found it. It has reached holy grail status for me. I have been using it practically every day this month and I haven’t been tempted to use my other foundations. It is the perfect every day base product for my oily skin, a combination of oil control and sheer-medium, breathable coverage. Please read my full review here, I really couldn’t rave more about it.

ELF Baked Blush Peachy Cheeky

I feel like this is one of those products that is severely slept on in the beauty circuit. This product is too light for me to wear as a blush, but as a highlighter, oh lawwwwd, it is phenomenal! What I love about this product is that it is very pearlescent on the skin, it isn’t chunky at all, it has a “buttery” formula that blends beautifully and it gives your cheekbones an almost “wet” look. It reminds me of the Kevyn Aucoin Celestial Powder but even more subtle. It is so subtle that it doesn’t look like I’m wearing highlight at all, rather that my cheekbones have been kissed by a baby unicorns mane LOL!

Soap & Glory Clean, Girls Body Wash

I must admit when I first bought this body wash I wasn’t mad about the fragrance, it contains bergamot, blackcurrant, magnolia, freesia, vanilla and musk, which on paper I should have immediately loved, but I didn’t. However, recently I’ve been using this every night and there is something in this fragrance, I think it’s the blackcurrant, or maybe it’s the bergamot, I don’t know, but it smells almost a bit masculine and thus very sexy! It also lathers up really nicely, comes in great packaging and doesn’t dry out my skin.

Body Shop Spa of the World Japanese Camellia Cream

Dear Body Shop,

PLEASE release a perfume with the fragrance of the Japanese Camellia cream.

Yours faithfully,

Jay

No, for real guys. This fragrance is LIFE. Not to mention the body butter itself which is thick, whipped and so hydrating on my skin. My boyfriend always compliments the way I smell when I’ve just put this on and apparently my skin feels really soft too.

MAC Powder Blush Ambering Rose

I couldn’t think of a better way to describe this shade of blush than the name itself. Ambering Rose is a deep, warm, rose-toned, shimmery blush that is perfect for this transitional period between Summer and Autumn. It really makes the best of Summer tans and is a must for anyone with a deeper skin tone like mine. To see my full review please read here.

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SNACKS

Lizi’s Granola

Granola is really just grown-ups cereal right?! The combination of baked oats, seeds, fruit and nuts is one of my favourite foods, I could easily eat it for every meal. I’ve tried three flavours from Lizi’s range, the Belgian chocolate (fave!), passion fruit and pistachio and mango and macadamia. Lizi’s granolas are low in sugar, low GI, high in healthy fats and carbs and made with natural ingredients. It tastes absolutely delicious with almond milk and fresh/dried fruit and feels great knowing I’m having the perfect start to the morning.

Skyr Vanilla

I love Greek yoghurt. I have it every day, without fail, either as part of my breakfast or a snack later in the day. I’ve been an advocate for Fage 0% fat Greek yoghurt for years, it’s thick, filling, tastes great with fruit and cereal, is high in protein and a great addition to my diet. I was searching for flavoured Greek yoghurts with a similar nutritional profile to Fage and was surprised that there aren’t that many options here in the UK. So when I found this new Icelandic Skyr with vanilla flavour in Waitrose I knew I had to try it. It’s even thicker and smoother than Fage, has an incredible flavour and is exactly what I was looking for nutritionally. The only problem is that it’s quite expensive at £1.25 for a 170g pot.

That’s all for this month guys, tell me what products you’ve been loving in the comments section below.

Having recently received a sample of the MAC False Lashes Extreme Black mascara I was really excited to try it out straight away. I usually test mascaras for a week or so when deciding whether I like it or not. Now, I’m no high-end mascara aficionado. Mascara is one of those products that I believe the drug store has nailed, so any chance I get to try a high end product I have really high expectations for it.

I liked the formula for this mascara, it applies really smoothly, isn’t clumpy after two coats and is very black. The formula definitely didn’t flake throughout the day but towards the very end of the day, by this I mean 14 hours later, there was some smudging on the outer corner of my eyes. It didn’t cause any irritation when I rubbed my eyes and is ophthalmologist tested and safe for contact lens wearers. It’s a great long wearing option for work/ school days.

The brush for this mascara is your classic bristle wand. It is very thick, fluffy and tapers to a pointed edge for more detailed work. I found that this brush managed to tightline my lashes as well as coat all my lashes individually without clumping. This gives the appearance of thicker lashes at the root of the hair. Unfortunately, no matter how careful I was, this mascara always transferred to the upper lid very near the root of the hair and I’d have to spend an extra few minutes cleaning it up every time.

Overall I found this mascara gave my lashes volume at the root, length, separation and it gives a good amount of curl that holds all day. It gives a fluttery look to my lashes which I find is more suitable for the daytime. The formula was very comfortable to wear, but the brush created transfer on my upper lid. Not something I’d expect from a high end product. With all that being said I don’t think I’m going to go out of my way to spend £19 on a tube of this mascara because I’ve had similar successes with high-street/ drug-store products.

Have you tried this product before? Comment below and let me know what you thoughts are. Also I’d really like to know, what are your favourite high end mascaras?

For my oily skin folks the task of finding good base products is forever a struggle. I feel that most foundations on the market are aimed at normal to dry skin. Products for oily skin are just not up to scratch with the oil control and the only products that successfully mattify the skin are very thick and feel heavy on the skin. Now, in terms of full coverage I love my Estée Lauder Double Wear foundation which I’ve reviewed previously on the blog but day-to-day I prefer to look more natural. Recently this has meant settling for the fact that I’ll look like a grease ball by 12pm.

For the past year I’ve been using the Jouer Matte Moisture Tint which is nice to use during the colder months and when I don’t have a tan, it’s even leaning towards being slightly too light for me. However, as soon as I get a bit of sun this product (the darkest one in the range) doesn’t match me. Nor does it control oil like I need it to unless paired with a primer, powder and setting spray. Far too much effort in my opinion.

I did a lot of research on foundations, BB creams and tinted moisturisers for oily skin. As I said before many reviewers find that a lot of them fall short in terms of oil control. So, after a lots of investigating I chose the Double Wear Light (DWL) from Estée Lauder. After all, the foundation is my holy grail so theoretically the light version should work well for me.

This product retails between £27-£31. Unlike the Double Wear foundation which has an impressive shade range of 8 colour intensities from very fair to dark and warm to cool undertones, there is less of a colour range (6 intensities) in the DWL which I think is unacceptable, what’s going on Estée Lauder?! Anyway as I am shade 4N2 in the foundation I chose 4.5 in the DWL. This colour is absolutely perfect for me right now (NC44), it has a perfect blend of warm and cool tones and is quite forgiving as the coverage is light.

Packaging: This 30ml product comes in a sleek, opaque squeezy tube that you can control the right amount to dispense from. I LOVE this packaging, it feels perfect for travelling with. Also it is opaque so any light sensitive ingredients are kept stable.

Formula: This product, like the original version is based on water. It contains silica and silicones to help control oil and sodium hyaluronate making it more hydrating than the original version. It does contain SPF 10 (mineral sunscreen) but I would still wear an SPF underneath this product. This foundation is much more lightweight, gives lighter coverage (I’d say sheer to medium) and is not as drying as the original. For that reason anyone from normal to oily skin can wear this product. If you have sensitive skin I’d avoid as it contains alcohols and chamomile oil (potential allergen/ irritant).

Application and longevity: Personally I like applying this product straight onto my face with my fingers working on small sections at a time, I focus on my chin and nose areas as these require the most coverage. The product blends really easily and dries to a semi-matte finish. I really like the fact that it is extremely weightless on the skin, unlike the foundation, and it doesn’t settle into lines or highlight pores over the course of the day. I found that around the sixth hour my nose area became oily but nowhere as much as I’m use to. The oil control from this foundation is nearly as good as the actual foundation but if you have any dry patches it may catch on these.

As you can see from the images below this foundation does a good job of evening out my skin tone, especially the darkness around my chin. The second set of images was taken after I did my basic day-to-day make-up, as you can see there isn’t a lot of flashback from the foundation either.

Overall I’m VERY pleased I’ve found a lightweight foundation that I can wear all year round which doesn’t exacerbate my oiliness, gives good coverage and doesn’t feel heavy on my skin. I really feel as though this is going to become a holy grail product for me!

Have you tried this foundation before? Comment below and let me know what your favourite day time foundations are.

Summer is in full swing, but the thing I dislike the most is the fact that my make-up melts off my face by 10am on most days. I’m currently on a bit of a hunt for the best oil controlling products for my skin and decided to pick up a travel size of the Urban Decay De-Slick Make-Up Setting Spray.

This make-up setting spray is aimed specifically at oily skin. The formula is oil free and paraben free. Taken from the Urban Decay website:

To apply this product it’s recommended to put it on before and after your base (foundation). I love the application of this spray because the fine nozzle allows a fine mist and even distribution of the product. Around 2-3 pumps is all I need for my full face and the product doesn’t feel tight or occlusive on my skin. After a full days wear I can definitely see an improvement in the appearance of my make-up but mostly there is some really good oil control.

I actually used this mist when I was on holiday in Barcelona and it kept my face looking as fresh as possible. There was some dewiness around the 4 hour mark in extremely hot and humid weather but it didn’t cause any breakouts. I’ve been using it back home in London where it isn’t as hot and have been having great oil control for around 6 hours. This product is a must in my make-up arsenal and a go-to when the hot sticky weather strikes.

Hello, hello… So I’m really sorry for this months late post, it has been a busy couple of weeks with a lot of social events happening but I finally got round to writing up this post! Below are my top beauty picks for the month of July with some added extras. Enjoy!

I recently rediscovered this lipstick after it was hidden in my lipstick drawer for months. Nude pink lipsticks traditionally do not look great on my skin tone, however this is the absolute best colour I have tried that is light enough to be a nude and dark enough not to wash me out. For more swatches see here.

In the summer months I don’t like to wear much foundation but when I go out for special occasions I apply Studio Sculpt from MAC. Not only because it’s the only foundation that matches my summer tan but also because it leaves the skin with a dewy glow whilst also giving really great coverage. For a full review see here.

First let me put it out there, this sunscreen isn’t for everyone. It is thick and leaves a white cast on the skin. However, being the skincare addict that I am, when I want a lot of sun protection and I know I won’t be able or will probably forget to to re-apply, I actually like being able to see the product on my skin as it lets me know I am being protected. Does that make sense? I don’t burn in the sun but this product protects me from uneven tanning and I suspect will be really good for very pale skin.

I have the driest lips known to mankind and this lip balm has been absolute godsend since I discovered it. It is very hydrating, smells great and has SPF in it too. I think I’ve found my holy grail lip balm!

I mentioned this product in my previous post and I must say I am loving it. Once I’m done with this travel size spray I am buying the larger size ASAP. It is the best heat protection spray I’ve used to date. It protects my hair, reduces frizz and fly-aways and smells great.

When I think of Clarks I get nostalgic memories of being dragged to the shops at the end of the summer holidays for a pair of sensible school shoes. Nonetheless, before I went on holiday I knew I had to invest in a pair of sandals which I could actually walk in for hours and hours. I tried this pair on in Clarks and fell in love with how comfortable they are. The leather soles are super soft and cushioned and the straps do not chafe on your feet. I wore these for four days walking around in Barcelona for hours on different terrains and they are by far the comfiest sandals I’ve ever owned. Plus they actually look really nice!

Anyone who knows me knows that I am matcha obsessed. These biscuits are my absolute fave. I pick them up at my local Korean supermarket but they can be found at various Asian supermarkets around London. These biscuits remind me of a custard cream but with a delicious matcha twist! So delicious I struggle not to devour a whole box at once!

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That’s all for this month, please comment below with your July favourites and until next time…

Well hello there. I know I say this every month but I can’t believe June has already come and gone! To be honest with you guys, recently I was feeling like my passion for all things beauty was dwindling but something clicked with me in the past few weeks and I’ve been getting back into beauty, so please expect more frequent posts from me. I haven’t got that many favourites this month but I did purchase a couple of new things which I’ve really been enjoying and wanted to share with you…

I spoke about this product in my previous blog post and honestly this has shot to the top of my holy grail lip products. This liquid lipstick is the prettiest warm pink and will suit just about everyone plus it’s really comfortable to wear. Also did I mention it costs just £6.50! To see a full review click here.

This blush is something I haven’t blogged about thus far. I bought this Sleek blush along with “Sahara”, an orange tone similar to MAC Peaches. However, Flushed has really surprised me, it’s a super pigmented coral which looks amazing on my skin tone, blends really well and lasts a long time. Well done Sleek!

I haven’t been to Lush in a hot minute so decided to treat myself to a face mask. Although I love the fresh face masks I never get to finish them so I went for one of the longer shelf life products. Cup O’ Coffee is an exfoliating face mask which firstly, smells sooo sexy and secondly makes my skin clear and smooth as a baby’s butt without drying it out. My make-up also goes on better after using this mask.

Us bloggers are known for loving marble everything and when I saw these leggings from Varley I knew I had to have them. They give an effortless, clean and undeniably cool look to any outfit. I’ve received a number of compliments for these leggings and will be wearing them all Summer long.

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That’s all for this month my loves, please let me know what you’ve been liking this month!

Alright, okay, I know I’m super late on this bandwagon but I finally decided to get my little paws on some of the NYX Lip Lingerie liquid lipsticks.

I did a bit of research and chose three colours that I believe would suit my skin tone best, I ended up choosing Exotic (warm orange with brown undertone), Teddy (brown with grey undertone) and Ruffle Trim (nude with brown undertone).

Price: At £6.50 per lipstick and being available at the drug store (Boots) these lipsticks are amazingly well priced. Admittedly I’m a make-up snob so I wasn’t sure how these lipsticks were going to fare.

Application: This lipstick comes with the classic doe-foot applicator. I find it really easy and comfortable to apply and it picks up the perfect amount of product for a full application. The shape of the applicator makes it easy to get clean lines too.

Formula: Oh my gosh guys, this formula feels soooo good on the lips I’m actually amazed. It feels creamy, moussey and non-drying, even better than most of the high end liquid lipsticks I’ve tried. The colour is well pigmented, it may be built up from a light slick of colour to full intensity.

Longevity: This lipstick lasts a full eight hours on the lips even after eating and drinking. It doesn’t settle into lines in the lip and after it has dried the lipstick does not smudge, bleed or transfer. After the eight hour mark there is a bit of drying which can be remedied with some lip balm on top.

L-R: Exotic, Teddy, Ruffle Trim

Left: Natural Light. Right: Flash

Overall verdict: I am in LOVE with this product, especially the colour Exotic which has become a holy grail lipstick for me. Teddy is an amazing 90’s brown shade which can be built up from a my-lips-but-better brown to a deep dark brown and I’m so glad I bought Ruffle Trim as I’ve been on the hunt for a perfect nude and I’ve finally found it! I’m SO happy with these liquid lipsticks and really recommend you run to your nearest NYX counter and pick some of these up!

Have any of you tried this product before? Comment below and let me know!

Jay

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About Me

Hi, my name is Jay and I'm a beauty junkie.
I'm 26, a Londoner born and raised. My day job involves dealing with the Quality Assurance of cosmetics where I'm constantly building my knowledge on ingredients and product safety. I'm always looking for the newest cosmetics with the most potent ingredients to try and review for you guys.
For me prevention is better than cure, so I look for products that will prevent premature ageing and long term damage.
Outside of blogging and working, I love cooking, eating, gymming, travelling, reading, watching TV series/films oh and I'm a massive hip-hop head :)
If you would you like to get in touch for PR/brand promotion you can email me at:
justjaybeautyblog@gmail.com
(Please note that I will only give HONEST reviews).
Hope to hear from you soon!
Jay x